xxii, 314 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : 23 cm

"Religions of Iran brings to light the often neglected influence of Iranian ideas throughout the history of the world's religions, from prehistory up to the present day. Originating as one of the Indo-European tribes of the Eurasian steppes in ancient times, Iranians share much of their mythology with the Greeks, Romans, Norse, and Hindus. From this shared past emerged the uniquely Iranian religion of Zoroastrianism, many of whose central beliefs were later adopted by Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam."--Page 4 of cover

Includes bibliographical references (pages 297-308) and index

Part I. Ancient Iranian Religions : -- 1. The origins of Iranian religion -- 2. Mithra and Mithraism -- 3. In search of Zoroaster -- 4. Mazda and his rivals -- 5. Iranian goddesses (Manya Saadi-nejad) -- Part II.. Foreign Religions in Iran : -- 6. Judaism -- 7. Buddhism -- 8. Christianity -- 9. Mandaeism -- Part III.. Challenges to Sasanian Zoroastrianism : -- 10. Manichaeism -- 11. Undercurrents of resistance: Mazdak and his successors -- 12. Islam -- Part IV. Islamic Iran : -- 13. Persian Sufism -- 14. Shi'ism -- 15. Zoroastrianism after Islam -- 16. Two Kurdish sects: the Yezidis and the Yaresan -- Part V. The Impact of Modernity : -- 17. The Bábí movement and the Bahá'í faith -- 18. The Islamic republic -- 19. Iranian Zoroastrians today -- Conclusion: The ever-expanding pool of Iranian religion

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